The Arrest Warrant sets Netanyahu’s course… a long journey to America
The plane of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, “Wings of Zion,” followed a long route on its way to the United States.
Flight data show that it traveled continuously over the Mediterranean Sea, then through French airspace, before continuing over water en route to the United States.
France had previously allowed the prime minister’s plane to pass through its airspace last April, which led to criticism from the International Criminal Court and various UN and international institutions.
Israel’s “Israel 24” channel reported that Israel requested written approval from France allowing “Wings of Zion” to fly over its territory on its way to the United States, without enforcing the arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court.
The aircraft avoids stopping in any country along the route, out of concern that states might execute the ICC arrest warrant issued against Netanyahu on charges of war crimes in the Palestinian territories.
This is not the first time Netanyahu has been forced to take a lengthy route out of fear that arrest orders might be enforced. He has traveled four times this year to the United States using similarly extended flight paths.
Israel’s Public Broadcasting Corporation said: “Estimates indicate that the official plane ‘Wings of Zion’ will stop in Washington to refuel before heading to Miami, after taking a longer-than-usual route to avoid flying over countries that could implement the arrest warrant against the prime minister.”
Ordinarily, the plane would fly over several European countries instead of the Mediterranean.
On November 21, 2024, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant on charges of war crimes — including starvation as a method of warfare — and crimes against humanity, such as intentional killing, persecution, and other inhuman acts during the Israeli-Palestinian war.
Netanyahu departed on Sunday for an official visit to the United States, where he is scheduled to meet U.S. President Donald Trump at the Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida on Monday at 10:30 p.m. Israel time.
A five-day visit — and who acts in his place
According to Israel’s Public Broadcasting Corporation: “During Netanyahu’s stay in the United States, Justice Minister Yariv Levin will serve as acting prime minister, while Defense Minister Yoav Gallant will be authorized to convene meetings of the Security Cabinet when needed.”
It added : “Based on the announced program, Netanyahu will spend about five days in the United States. His schedule will be limited to a small number of meetings, most notably with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, figures from the evangelical movement, and participation in an event at a synagogue in Miami.”
At the heart of his talks with the U.S. president, Netanyahu is expected to present intelligence information claiming that Iran has succeeded in rebuilding its ballistic-missile program, in an effort to obtain an American ‘green light’ for a possible
future strike on Iranian targets. This issue is reportedly among his top priorities in the meeting with Trump.
“In addition to the Iranian file, the agenda will also include discussion of moving to the second phase of President Trump’s plan to end the war in Gaza — a phase still surrounded by political and security disagreements both within Israel and between Israel and Washington. The ‘day after’ in Gaza, including the possible Turkish role, is also expected to be raised.”
The report added: “Israeli sources believe Netanyahu may face a real dilemma, given the lack of international willingness to send forces as part of a stabilization mission — pushing some in the Israeli system to call for revisiting all proposed arrangements.”
According to the broadcaster, “this visit comes at a politically sensitive moment, domestically and regionally, giving the Mar-a-Lago meeting an importance that goes beyond protocol and placing it among encounters that may shape the next stage on several fronts.”
Will the Rafah crossing reopen?
Israel’s Channel 13 reported : “The concern within the defense establishment is that the United States might force Israel to reopen the Rafah crossing.”
It added: “The White House has been pressuring Israel since January to proceed with Phase B of the ceasefire agreement in Gaza. But a senior Israeli official said Netanyahu will insist on waiting until the last kidnapped soldier, Major Ran Goyli — whose parents joined the trip — is returned.”
The report continued: “Senior military officials say Israel fears that President Trump will demand opening the Rafah crossing in both directions, along with the withdrawal of Israeli forces from additional areas beyond the yellow line, despite the absence of any serious plan to disarm Hamas.”
It went on: “The summit between Netanyahu and Trump will also address the Iran issue, with the Israeli team presenting intelligence documents indicating an Iranian ‘arms race’ following the ‘People of the Lion’ operation.”
During the visit, Netanyahu is also expected to hold further meetings with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and other senior U.S. officials. His allies are reportedly trying to arrange another meeting with Trump — even before the weekend — in addition to the one already scheduled.
